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There is something special about the luxurious warmth of a home with radiant heat in the floors. There is also something special about the beauty and durability that laminate floors can add to a home.
The process of choosing the laminate best suited for the type of radiant heating must include consideration of a number of factors.
Laminate products from Mohawk and Shaw are great selections for installation over radiant heat, making it one of the reasons why we love carrying them.
What are Hydronic Radiant Floors?
Radiant heating systems are built within the walls and/or floors of homes. Radiant floor heat can be found in three types:
1. Air-heated Radiant Floors – These types of floors are not commonly installed due to the fact that air cannot hold large amounts of heat, thus resulting in overall poor performance not suited for moderately to severe cold climates.
2. Electric Radiant Floor Systems – These consist of an intricately designed set of electric cables that are built into the floor. Sometimes these systems consist of mats of specialty plastic that conducts electricity mounted below the floor covering (in this case laminate flooring) on the subfloor. Electric radiant floor systems can be costly and thus are often installed within a thick thermal mass such as a concrete floor. If the floor’s thermal mass is substantial enough, the heat stored within it may potentially maintain the home’s warmth for up to ten hours without needing any additional heat source.
3. Hydronic Radiant Floors – These systems are by far the most popular and economic among radiant heating systems. Tubing is laid under the floor in a specified pattern through which hot water is pumped. Some homeowners feel that the water makes the heat feel warmer than if it is conveyed through a dry medium.
It is also important to understand that not all radiant heating systems are designed to be compatible with laminate floors as well. A surface temperature probe should be included as well as thermostat controls. The material used to manufacture the laminate should meet certain specifications, and the temperature of the subfloor must be carefully maintained and monitored.
Installing Laminate over Electric Radiant Floor Heating
It is highly recommended that the expertise and knowledge of flooring specialists should be sought before tackling such a project. That way, the project is done correctly, and you get affordable laminate flooring prices that won’t break the bank.
The steps involved in completing a job such as this include:
- A temperature setting between 64 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained for at least four weeks before installing the laminate. This is to assure that any moisture contained within the subflooring has dried.
- Radiant heating systems that are already in place should be fully pressure tested and set to a temperature no less than 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Do this at least four days before beginning installation of the laminate floor.
- Extra care must be taken in the event that the heating system is designed with an electric mat or mesh to ensure that the system is compatible with the type of flooring to be installed.
- Wooden subfloors must be examined to make sure that the wood’s moisture content is less than 12%. Using a special wood moisture meter is recommended for this job.
- Concrete sub-floors must also be dry, as determined through the use of a special concrete moisture meter, and they must have a pH level between 6 and nine.
- All sub-floors must comply with the “dry” requirements before installation of the flooring can proceed.
- The job site itself must be a temperature-controlled environment, with relative humidity between 35 and 85 percent. Additionally, the temperature of the site should be between 60 and 80 degrees.
- Upon completion of the installation, the radiant heat settings should not be changed for at least 48 hours. Once the 48 hour period has passed, it is important that any subsequent temperature changes remain within the range of four to five degrees in order to allow the laminate flooring to adjust to the change without incurring damage from a change that is too sharp or sudden.
- The temperature setting of the floors should never exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
The purchase of laminate flooring to be installed over hydronic radiant floors or radiant heat should only be entrusted to trained professionals who are qualified to assess the heating system and determine the best type of laminate floor for installation.
Get your New Laminate Floor with The Carpet Guys!
The Carpet Guys are experienced technicians who are trained in all aspects of assisting homeowners who wish to combine the beauty and durability of laminate floors with the comfort and warmth of radiant heat.
We carry the top laminate flooring products available, and we’ll do everything we can to get you the style you desire, whether you have hydronic radiant floors or not.
Give The Carpet Guys a call to schedule a free laminate flooring estimate, and we’ll bring our store to your door.
We look forward to seeing you.
